Title : The Actor Ichikawa Ebizö as Bunkaku Disguised as Yamagatsu Onohachi in the Play, Edo no Fuji Wakayagi Soga

Artist : Katsukawa Shun'ei

Date : 1791

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : The Soga legend is based on a real Japanese historical event that occurred in 1193. A story of two brothers named Jürö and Gorö, the main plot is that of a vendetta. Like the Chüshingura tale depicted on other prints in this gallery, the story’s themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge made this legend a rich resource for Kabuki plays. Shun'ei was a brilliant student of Katsukawa Shunshö. He specialized in actor prints and may have started the trend of ökubi-e (portraits showing only the head, or head and upper torso). The famous Kabuki cross-eyed, menacing stance (mie) is captured in this print. (from Daring Moves Exhibition, 8/1/06-)

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